CDA, the CDA Foundation, CalDPAC, TDIC, TDIC Insurance Solutions, and American Dental Association serve organized dentistry at the direction of members, policyholders, and shareholders. Governing bodies are composed of members of the association who are selected to lead and shape our collective futures.

The CDA Foundation is seeking donations for this year’s annual silent auction at the CDA House of Delegates. Hosted annually in November, the auction gives members a chance to bid on and win great prizes and trips while helping the Foundation make a difference in the lives of others. Donated items can include wine, jewelry, artwork (paintings, pottery, glassware), timeshares, sporting event tickets, gift cards and more. The deadline for receipt of donated items is Sept. 1.

Providing education, promoting evidence-based acute pain management practices and forming partnerships with specialty dental organizations form the basis of the CDA Opioid Policy adopted by the CDA House of Delegates at its annual meeting last November. The new policy solidifies CDA’s role as a leader in state health care policy and creates new opportunities to collaborate with health care colleagues and others to reduce the misuse and abuse of prescription opioids.

Del Brunner, DDS, on Jan. 1 took the helm as CDA’s president for 2019. The graduate of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC practiced dentistry in Ventura for more than 40 years. A longtime member of CDA, ADA and the Santa Barbara Ventura County Dental Society, he has held numerous leadership positions and served on many CDA councils and committees including the CDA Presents Board of Managers, the Strategic Planning Committee and the CDA Foundation Board.

Why are so many dentists passionate about giving back to their communities? Dentistry is a profession that brings together people who are as compassionate as they are committed to improving lives though oral health care. Membership in organized dentistry can help channel that compassion and commitment into programs that are making a difference.

The five-day National Oral Health Conference is an annual meeting of health professionals who are working to improve the oral health of populations in the U.S. and around the world. The conference brings together experts in science, academia, public health, advocacy and clinical practice to explore promising programs and policies for oral health across the lifespan. This year, CDA’s work in this field was showcased in two presentations with California State Dental Director Jay Kumar, DDS, also presenting.

Natasha Lee, DDS, is CDA’s new president for 2018. Lee, a practicing general dentist in the Sunset District of San Francisco, is a graduate of the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry class of 2000. With more than 17 years of experience as a dental educator, Lee spent over a decade teaching preclinical restorative techniques and is now an assistant professor and course director of Practice Management and Jurisprudence at Pacific Dugoni.

The heart of dentistry is the unyielding desire to help others. A commitment to improving the oral health of all Californians is why many CDA members entered the profession, and it’s why so many dentists are passionate about giving back to their communities. Whether through volunteer efforts, advocacy or leadership, CDA can help act as a conduit for those looking to make a difference.

Relationship building is an essential skill for any professional, but especially for dentists. Sharing ideas, addressing common concerns and celebrating successes only serve to strengthen the profession. In addition, making professional connections can help dentists expand their opportunities and propel their practices forward.

One of the greatest draws of professional associations is the chance to be a part of something bigger. When professionals come together, their voices truly become more powerful. Cultivating this collective power is one of CDA’s long-standing goals. In fact, the association has reached the 27,000-member mark and was recognized by the ADA in four key areas.

Like many small business owners, dentists can often be confined to the “fishbowl” of their own offices. Taking a break from daily practice to connect with professionals from other practices and specialties can positively impact career growth, development and practice success. One way dentists can find these breaks is through membership in thriving associations and professional organizations.

Clelan Ehrler, DDS, MS, is CDA’s new president for 2017. Ehrler, a retired orthodontist from the San Bernardino area, is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Ehrler, who also earned a master of science in orthodontics from Loma Linda, has held numerous CDA leadership positions and served on various committees, including peer review and CalDPAC.

The Judicial Council of CDA has earned the Ethics and Professionalism Award from the American College of Dentists. The award recognizes exceptional contributions by individuals or organizations in the promotion of ethics or professionalism in dentistry. It is the highest honor given by the American College of Dentists in the area of ethics.

Ken Wallis, DDS, is CDA’s new president for 2015-16. Wallis, a general dentist with a private practice in Santa Clara, is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. He succeeds Immediate Past President Walt Weber, DDS. Wallis said changes occurring in the dental profession, including the growth of new practice models, provide an opportunity for inclusiveness.

Walter G. Weber, DDS, was installed as the new CDA president last week at the House of Delegates meeting in San Diego. During his speech to delegates, Weber emphasized the importance of CDA continually looking for ways to best serve its members in the profession's changing landscape. Current trends in dentistry, including shrinking dental insurance benefits, pressures to reduce costs, and increasing costs of dental education, make it important for CDA to understand members' needs and develop strategies to help them succeed and best serve patients, he said.

Carol Summerhays, DDS, a general dentist who practices in San Diego, has been elected president-elect of the ADA. Summerhays has held numerous ADA leadership positions and has served on various committees, including strategic planning, compensation, governance, government affairs and new dentist. She also served as CDA president in 2009, and held many positions on CDA committees and councils.

There is considerable information about the ethical implications and risks of dentists dating a patient of record, but the fact remains that dentists encounter a variety of people in daily practice and may find themselves attracted to a patient. Conversely, a dentist discovers a patient is attracted to him or her. If an attraction develops, consider ahead of time how this could become an awkward situation in the future. The Dentists Insurance Company strongly advises you not to act on that unless you first refer the patient to another dentist for dental care before beginning a personal relationship.

CDA is now recruiting for volunteer leadership positions beginning service in November 2014. The online application process takes about 20 minutes to complete, and applicants can apply for positions on CDA councils, committees and boards as well as for shorter-term positions on task forces and workgroups or serving as a CDA Presents host or assistant.

There will be something for everyone on the dental team at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim on May 15-17. From lectures on equipment care and repair to search engine optimization, social media and online marketing — the course lineup is enriched with key information for dentists and staff. Dentists interested in bringing their entire staff to CDA Presents in Anaheim can use the following list of workshops to help plan their schedules at the convention.

Dental students from across the state had their voices heard at the CDA House of Delegates meeting in Sacramento. The student delegation at this year’s meeting on Nov. 15-17 included 32 dental students from the six dental schools in California. The voting delegation had a say in the issues discussed at the meeting and also used the event as an opportunity to network.

Thanks to the generosity of member dentists, nearly $100,000 was raised for the CDA Foundation and its programs at the CDA House of Delegates meeting. The money will go toward supporting future CDA Cares clinics and the Student Loan Repayment Grant program.

The annual session of the 2013 CDA House of Delegates will be held Nov. 15-17 at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency. The event will be attended by more than 200 delegates, representing 32 local dental societies, who will decide on issues of importance to CDA’s membership. Among the duties of the delegates will be to elect officers of the association.

Each level of the tripartite structure of organized dentistry offers valuable benefits and resources to dentists across California, including education, protection, support and advocacy. None of it would be possible without the foresight of thousands of dentists, and that leadership begins in the state’s dental schools. Soon-to-be dentists across the state are active at their respective schools. They do it because they understand that their careers depend on dentists making the decisions that will both preserve and maintain the profession, as well as serve patients.

CDA is recruiting for 98 volunteer leadership positions beginning service in November, 25 of which incumbents are not eligible for re-election. Leadership applications and descriptions of available positions are online at cda.org/volunteer. Applications for positions available in 2014 must be submitted no later than May 31.

Lindsey Robinson, DDS, was installed as the new CDA president this month at the House of Delegates meeting in Newport Beach. Robinson, a graduate of the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, is a pediatric dentist practicing in Grass Valley. She succeeds Immediate Past President Dan Davidson, DMD.